13.1 Accomplished!

I did it! I really did it! I am still in a state of shock. So here is my story of 13.1

The 13.1 miles was tough! It was humid which made things a little uncomfortable. My sister and her family were waiting for me at mile 4 and I needed that because it seemed like forever until I hit mile 4. I kept thinking if I can just get this first hour done I will be good. It has HOT! Thank GOD by mile 5 it was overcast, so that helped. I was surprised to see my friend Erica and she asked if I was dying yet and I said "I was, but I back in it now" I had just got my groove back at that point. I had no foot pain, but my knees started hurting by mile 6, so I had to stop and stretch a few times after that. My mom was waiting for me at mile 8 and it was wonderful to see how proud she was of me. The look on her face was just.. well priceless. It kept going.

I was SO amazed at the spectators. San Antonio is such a great place. Running this downtown was sweet! to know that our community was there giving us water, cheering us on, and so many people standing in front of their houses, holding signs, standing in line to give us high fives... made all the difference.

By mile 10, I was wondering why I had signed up for this and I slowed down a little bit and thought here is that WALL they talk about. As I kept on, a lady from the crowd came out, grabbed my hand and said "You are doing great. Keep going" I keep thinking of that lady and I wish she knew how much that helped me get past those last 3 miles. Those last 3 were the toughest. I also saw this man who has a burned leg and a bone or some kind of injury to his left foot, and he was walking and wobbling, but he was still going. I saw him and thought if he can keep going so can I! At mile 11, a volunteer said. Half marathoners.. you have 2 miles left. Don't give up! I had stop to walk mile 12 and I pushed myself to run to finish the last 1.1. I hated seeing everyone walking back to their cars with their medals already and so many people were walking that it was difficult to make myself run.

I started this journey by saying I would not be able to do this without GOD. The only reason I was able to do this was because He was with me. I was reminded of this at the end of my run. My warm up song was Voice of Truth by Casting Crowns. I listened to it before every run throughout my training. Well, the night before the race I added some songs to my playlist and put that song at the end of them along with some other motovational songs. The Climb and Time of My Life. I hadn't timed anything, so I didn't know where songs would fall as I ran. Well, as I turned one of the last turns that started that crazy incline infront of the Alamodome which led to the .1 of the race, those songs began playing! It was the perfect ending to my race. Every strech break, walk break, was part of my pace. I heard those songs and especially Voice of Truth and was so overwhelmed with joy! I will NEVER forget how that felt. To know that all this was GOD. When I saw that finish line, it was a feeling I can't explain! I was even more excited to see my sister in law and her friend right at the finish. Much Pain followed after my finish (especially the eternity walk back to the shuttle bus), but it was all AMAZING!

13.1

Night Before Our Run

My best friend, my sister, my guider, my organized example, my now physical therapist, my everything... brought me flowers and the most perfect balloon on Thursday. She is so great! and amazing! I would not have taken on this challenge if it wasn't for her. So THANK YOU CHERYL! Your friendship means so much to me.


THE NIGHT BEFORE*******************************************************

Well, it's here! It is 8:30 p.m. and after 26 weeks of training the BIG day is tomorrow. I can't believe it's actually here. I am excited but very nervous about everything.
I keep looking at all my things that I have layed out and thinking I am forgetting something. I never knew how MUCH was involved in running a half marathon. SHOES, GEL, BODYGLIDE, SOCKS, SHOE TAG, GEAR BAG, CARB LOADING, and more and more.



We went to our group's pasta party on Friday night and to the Health Expo to pick up race packets today. I kept thinking I am not here. This place is for people who run. This place isn't for someone like me. This just seems like a dream, because I NEVER imagined that I would even get to try to run in a half marathon.



But as I am going throught this list of preparations and getting ready to head to bed I am proud to say that I am a runner! and I am running in my first half marathon tomorrow. Can't wait to write about how it goes.

I found this verse to calm my fears...
Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go." Joshua 1:9

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So close.. I can taste it.

Less than 2 weeks ago until race day. I am nervous, excited and in denial. After our 12 mile run two weeks ago, my feet have been hurting and I have been uncertain about running all 13.1 miles. It is going to be tough! I am trying to rest, stretch, run, walk, pray, and just let what will be, be. I know I have come a long way and no matter what the outcome in a few days it has been an amazing experience.
Today I was able to 2 miles without pain and Cheryl is going to do her special physical therapy magic on me this week. I knew I stayed her friend all these years for a good reason! :)


Here's some great quotes I found about running...

"In running, it doesn't matter whether you come in first, in the middle of the pack, or last. You can say, 'I have finished.' There is a lot of satisfaction in that." -Fred Lebow, New York City Marathon co-founder

"The miracle isn't that I finished.
The miracle is that I had the courage to start."-John Bingham

"Run if you can, walk if you have to, crawl if you must,
just never give up." Dean Karnazes

12.5 Miles and Oh the Pain!

We completed our final benchmark and our longest run until the Half Marathon this past Sunday. It is a crazy thing to run 12.5 miles. I thought I only ran 12, but than later found out it was 12.5! so I was even happier.

I was so grateful to have healthy feet because the week before I was in a little pain after my run and nervous about getting injured. I left that Saturday in tears thinking I wasn't going to be able to run the 12. But thanks to God, and Razz Energy Gel, and Eye of the Tiger, and Kid Rock, Prince, and Run DMC I completed 12.5!



It was 3 hours of running for me, but it oddly went by fast. After the first hour, I told myself two more hours to go and that felt strange, but before I knew it, it was one more hour left. The last 3 miles were tough! especially the last 1.5 miles. I kept looking down and then looking back up and felt like the end was further. I was running so slow, but told myself I had to run it in. I had started before Alex so I knew he was going to catch up to me, and I was so glad when at the last stretch he came up and said "This is the longest mile ever!" and I was so relieved because we were able to finish together. It was sweet, because I know on race day he is going to be way ahead of me and waiting for me at the finish line, so I grabbed his hand and lifted our hands up to celebrate our running accomplishment.



I really want to tell anyone reading that if you haven't ever run.. You can! I started out running for only 20 minutes and I would run for 2 minutes then walk for 1 and I was way out of breath and exhausted. I am in no ways an expert, but I am doing more than I ever thought I would and if I can do it anyone of you can, too! It just takes some time and some faith.



I am excited about the next month and the final weeks leading into the actual Half Marathon. I am praying for good health, nice weather, and lots of energy. I am going to do my best and take every moment as a blessing. Alex is now looking into running more 10Ks, half-marathons, and I just hope to be able to keep saying I ran today.

Time to Train My Mind

Here's some pictures of what Alex and I look like as runners! Alex is so great before our long runs. He gets our waterbottles ready, bagels toasted, Ipods charged and packed, and now makes sure we have Energy gel for our runs. It's amazing God's timing in all of this. We both said we wouldn't be doing this right now without each other! These are moments when you know it's all part of God's plan.

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On my first day of training, the head USA Fit guy said You can train your body to do anything and your body will be prepared before your mind. I didn't quite understand what he meant, but I am figuring that out now. I feel good when I am running. I don't have as many aches and pains and I am not short of breath like I had been. I know when to take a break for water or sometimes just break because I'm at a crosswalk. BUT my mind. My mind isn't fully prepared to go the distance. Yesterday we ran 8 miles. 8 miles. For me that's 2 hours of running! That's long. I still have 5 miles to go.

It was a good run, but I doubted myself for the first 4! Everyone in the group was ahead of me and it was so dark I felt alone. This happens every week, but being last stinks! It reminded me of 8th grade when I decided to join the Track team and my coach put me in long distance running. I came in last! And there are times when I say it's okay I am running like I have never before, and then there's day when I say I am not cut out for this. It's a constant battle of my mind.

This training is making me think about all the times I have given up. All the times I have abandoned a diet, an exercise routine, or even a situation that was too tough. Most of the time I can't get over the hill. I walk the other way. This past week I didn't run at all to prepare for my run. I just didn't want to. I felt like running was just another thing I had to do on my list of to do's. And that list gets very long sometimes!

I was very surprised that I could still do the 8 miles even after taking 6 days off, but I was able to and I am ready for the week ahead, because next week is 9 miles and I don't have the time to be taking breaks.

I just wanted to share with anyone who is reading that this running thing has been HARD and I don't always have great days with it, but it is so amazing how far I have come. As I got to my last mile on Saturday, I thought OH! Yes! One More Mile!!! and I laughed at myself because that's just something I never thought I would be excited about another MILE!

One last thought....

7 more weeks of training! The Rock and Roll Half Maration is on November 15th. Alex and I are excited! and hope that anyone who can make it out to see us, does. It would be great to know that you will be there at mile 5, or mile 10, or after we cross the finish line! I can't believe I am going to do this! Check out this link for spectator information:

http://san-antonio.competitor.com/event-info/spectators/

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” – Jeremiah 29:11

Cheryl is going to Pinch me!

So, when I first started training Cheryl mentioned her run was 6 miles and I had to say When I get to 6 miles you will have to pinch me cause I didn't believe I would ever tell someone I ran 6 miles today. Well.................Today I ran 7 miles. It was a good run. I stopped at some hills and at the 4.1 mile water break, but otherwise felt good! The weather was perfect. I am super excited to finally have cooler temps. I KNOW that's going to make a huge difference. It did today.
Alex pointed out that today we ran more than half of a half marathon. WOW! I can't wait to see that finish line!


Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them ... Mark 11:24. Prayer indeed works! I pray before going to bed and in the morning and during the day as I need it, but I always pray before my run and ask for God to guide me through my run and push my body along. I know I wouldn't be where I am without HIM. As I am running, I remember how blessed I am that I can use my legs and it's helps to get over some of my weaknesses.

10K and 11 weeks to go!

Last week I officially ran in my first race. We participated in a 10K last Saturday in Alamo Heights. It was HOT and HILLY, but I finished. My mom asked "Did you finish your race?" and I said "Well, I am still alive." She said she thought I could give up and stop. Well, I probably could have, but I didn't. I ran okay the first 2 miles, mile 3 and 4 were stop and go. At mile 5 I took a nice walking break and enjoyed the scenary of the beautiful houses. I am proud to say I finished running mile 6 and the .1. We also learned that Alex and I are at very different running paces and it's best to just encourage each other instead of trying to run along side one another.

This week was back to school for me and was hard to manage running with my workalcoholic attitude. So, I am praying for a less hectic schedule this week and some time to run to get me back on track. The Half Marathon is only 76 days away! That is just craziness. I can't believe I am still running and running more than I have ever in my entire life.

Hebrews 12:1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,